Ballot-box.



WILLIAM L. CORNELIUS, OF NEl/V LISBON, INDIANA.

BALLpoT-Box.

SPEGIFIATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,195, dated January 27, 1903.

Application flied May 23, 1902.

To @ZZ whom, it nung concern:

Beitknown that I, WILLIAM L. CORNELIUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Lisbon, in the county of IfIenry and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Ballot-Box, of which the following is a speci-- fication.

My invention relates to certain improvements in ballot-boxes of that class used by secret societies, clubs, and the like for casting a secret ballot, and has for its principal object to provide an improved form of ballotbox in which the balls or other objects used for balloting purposes are never handled either by the persons voting or bythe tellers or other electionbfficers.

A still further object of the invention is to so arrange and construct the ballot-box as to permit the voter to cast a ballot without making known to another person the character of votes cast and to render it impossible for any person near the ballot-box to see which of the voting devices is manipulated by the voter, while at the same time giving the voter a clear and unobstructed view of such votemanipulating devices.

A still further object of the invention is to so construct the device as to render it impossible for a voter to accidentally cast both a white and black ballot.

A still further object of the invention is to so arrange and construct the ballot-receiving compartments or drawer as to permit the opening of the same without actually touching the drawer.

Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described,iilustratedin the accompanyingdrawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a ballot-box constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the upper portion oi the box removed. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the box on the line ma: of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the box on the line 44 of Fig. 3. Fig. is a transverse sectional view of the box, showing the box partly reversed to permit the automatic return of the Serial No. 108,707. (.No model.)

balls to the delivery-receptacle. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective View of the movable hood of the ballot-box. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional elevation of a portion of the structure on the line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. S is an inverted plan view illustrating a portion of the mechanism for discharging the balls from the delivery-receptacles. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the buttons and slides for actuating the ball-delivery devices. Fig. 10 is a detached view of a portion of the structure. Fig. 11 is a detail view-illustrating the mechanism for interlocking the two slides when an attempt is made to simultai neously deposit a white and a black ballot.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The casing 10 is closed at the sides, ends, and bottom and is provided with a lower drawer 11, divided into two compartments by a central partition 11, one for the reception of the white balls and the other for the reception of the black balls or other balloting devices. At the rear oi the casing is a spring 12, which is compressed when the drawer is moved inward, the drawer beingr normally retained in closed position against the stress of the spring by a slidable catch 12, so that when said catch is moved to releasing position the drawer will be forced open by the spring to expose the ballots in the two compartments. At the rear of the box is a carrying-handle 13, by which the box may be carried around and presented to the voters.

Supported within the casing 10 at a point above the drawer is an inner casing or frame 14, having two delivery-receptacles for con-` taining the balls and arranged one for the reception of the White balls and the other for the reception of the black balls. These receptacles 15 and 16 are each vprovided with delivery-openings, one communicating with one compartment of the drawer and the other with the opposite compartment, so that the i i balls are always kept separate to facilitate the counting of the ballot.

In the bottom of the delivery-receptacle 15 is a horizontally-disposed revoluble disk 17, mounted on a bolt or stud 1S, supported by the frame, and in the compartment 16 is a similar disk 17, mounted on a stud 18a. The disks are provided with openings 17b 17, respectively, said openings being arranged in annular series near the edges of the disks. In order to insure the entrance of the balls in the several openings, the upper surface of each disk is convex in form, so that the balls will roll to the vertical wall of the receptacle and be properlyr guided into said openings. This permits of the employment of a much greater number of ballots than there are openings in the disks, the feed of balls into the openings being automatic and the apparatus being so arranged as to insure the discharge of all of the balls from the receptacle when necessary. On the bottom of each disk is secured a ratchet-wheel, as indicated at 19 19a, said ratchet-wheels fitting in recesses in the lower portion of the frame 14 and adapted for engagement by suitable pawls to be operated by the voters.

In the lower portion of the frame 14 are openings 2O and 20a, with which the diskopenings may be moved into alinementv in order to successively discharge the balls carried by the disks through said openings into the receiving-drawer, while in order to prevent the passage of more than one ball at each operation I employ inclined guardsor hoods 21 21, projecting over the edge of the disks at a point immediately above the dischargeopenings and preventing the passage of more than one ball should there be anygreater number of balls in the compartment than there are disk-openings to receive them.

As an additional means for insuring the entrance of the balls into the pockets or openings of the disks I employ guard ngers or pins 22 22a, projecting over the top of the disks from the inner walls of the receptacles, said pins being arranged slightly in advance of the discharge-openings, the rotative movement of the disks serving to prevent the balls lodging on the surface of the disks between `the openings.

In the lower portion of the frame 14 are two elongated longitudinally-disposed slots 23 23, forming guides for the slides 24 24a. The slides `are provided, respectively, with spring-pawls 2411,24c for engagement with the ratchet-wheels 19 and 19, the inward movement of each slide serving to impart a rotative movement to its connected ratchet-wheel and disk to the extent of a single tooth, and as the number of ratchet-teeth are equal to the number of ball-receiving openings in the disks a disk-opening will be moved opposite the discharge-opening and a ball discharged at each operation of either of the slides. To prevent rearward movement of the ratchetwheels, I employ spring check-pawls 24e and 24f for engagement with the ratchet-wheels.

To the front end of the slide 24 is secured a block 25h, having a push-button 25 the stein of which projects through a guiding-opening in the front of the casing, and in similar manner the slide 24 is secured to a block 25C having a push-knob 25a, the knobs being differently colored or otherwise bearing distinguishing marks to indicate the discharge-disk to which it is connected. In each of the slides is a notch for the reception of the end of a transversely-disposed spring 26, having a central fulcrum in the lower portion of the frame 14 and serving to keep the slides in the forward position with the push-buttons projected outwardly from the front face of the casing.

In the adjacent upper edges of the blocks 25b and 25c are recesses 27 27% having inclined lower walls in which are fixed stoppins 27b 27, respectively, for engagement with the depressed end of a spring-stop 28, the rear end of which is secured to the upper wall of the receptacle 15, as indicated at 28a. The blocks are further provided with guidepins 27d and 27e for engagement with the 0pposite sides of said spring-stop. On the lower wall of the recesses are lugs 27f and 27g, respectively, disposed in transverse alinement and normally engaging the lower surface of the stop-spring and holding the latter up out of the path of movement of the pins 27b and 27C. In the operation of this portion of the mechanism either of the blocks and its connected slide may be pushed to the rear, while the spring-supporting lug on the opposite block holds the stop-spring in elevated position and out of the path of movement of the stop-pin of the slide being moved. Should an attempt be made to simultaneously force both of the slides inward, both of the springsupporting lugs would be moved rearwardly, permitting the forward and downwardly curved end of the stop-spring to move into the path of both of the pins 27b and 27C, and

IOO

thus prevent further inward movement of' said slides. This prevents any accidental voting of both black and white balls at the same time.

Within the top of the casing is secured a top piece 10a, the opposite sides of which are arranged at some little distance from the side walls of the casing, the distance being less than the diameter of the balls in order to prevent any accidental escape of the balls from the boX. This top member carries a depending division-plate 30, extending between the side of the frame 14 and the adjacent side of the casing, said division-plate being arranged in alinement with the partition 15a between the two discharge-receptacles 15 and 16. At the lower end of the division-plate 30 is a guide 30a, extending forward to the partition 11a of the drawer. The top piece 10a also carries a pivoted plate 31, forming one wall of both of the discharge-receptacles, said plate being notched in order to permit free inward swinging movement over the end of the partition 15a, while outward movement of said plate is prevented by contact with the inner edge of the division-plate 30.

29 designates a movable hood having an aperture 29L and provided with depending sides IIO 33, having slots 3a into which the front wall of the casing may pass when the hood is adjusted to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 with the aperture 29 immediately over the push-buttons. lVhen the ballot-box is not in use, the side wings 33 fit within the body of the box, being passed into the spaces formed between the side walls of the box and the frame 14 and locked into position by the latch 36, adapted to engage a fixed keeper 37, carried bythe inner` wall of the box, the latch and keeper being held engaged by a springr 38, which must be depressed by slightly forcing the hood to the rear when it is desired to disengage the latch and permit the adjustment of the hood to the dotted-line position for voting purposes.

In order to prevent the separation of the hood from the ballot-box, the side wings are provided with inwardly-projecting pins 39, adapted to engage with the under side of the top piece 10, suflicient play being allowed to permit of the adjustment ofthe hood to either of its two positions, but preventing the entire removal of the hood from the casing.

In using the device the hood is adjustedto the dotted-line position, the black balls being placed in one delivery-receptacle and the white balls in the other receptacle. The officer in charge of the balloting then carries the box by means of the handle 13, presenting its front end to the voter. As the push-buttons are directly under the aperture 29, the Voter may readily distinguish the buttons or knobs and be certain of pressing the one bearing the color of the ball which he wishes to vote,while the voters hand is entirely concealed from observation. This aperture 29 is so small that any person not looking directly down through the aperture is unable to distinguish the button depressed. On the depression of a button the slide connected thereto is moved to the rear and an angular movement given the proper disk to bring a ball-openingin alinement with the discharge opening, through whichitfalls to one of the compartments in the drawer. The balls of different color are at all times kept separate, and when the balloting is completed the hoodis adjusted to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The officer in charge of the box then Araises the catch 12 and permits the spring l2 to open the drawer, exposing the contents of the drawer and permitting a counting of the ballot without any one actually touching the drawer or in any way handling the balls. After the vote is counted the ballot-box is turned over, the drawer being first closed, and the balls run into the passage-ways between the frame 14 and the side wall of the casing, being there separated by the division plate 30. The weight of the balls moves' the swinging plate 31 inward, allowing the balls to run into their respectiveV discharging compartments 15 and 16, after which the ballot-box is again in readiness for use.

While the construction herein described, and illustrated in the accompanying-drawings, is the preferred form of the device, it is obvious that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having thus described my invention,\what I claim isi 1. A ballot-box having an upper deliveryreceptacle and a lower receiving-receptacle, a discharge-opening between the two, a revoluble disk arranged in the lower portion of the delivery-receptacle and forming the bottom thereof, said disk being-provided with ball-receiving openings, and4 means for operating said disk to move such openings into alinement with the discharge-opening.

2. A ballot-box having an upper deliveryreceptacle and a lower receiving-receptacle, a discharge-opening between the two, a revoluble disk arranged in the lower portion of the delivery-receptacle and forming the bottom thereof, said disk being provided near its outer edge with an annular series of ballreceiving openings movable into alinement with the discharge-opening, the upper surface of said disk being conveXed to assist in the entrance of the balls into the openings, and means for intermittently rotating said disk. i

3. A ballot-box having an upper deliveryreceptacle and a lower receiving-receptacle, a discharge-opening between the two, a revoluble disk arranged in the lower portion of the delivery-receptacle and forming the bottom thereof, said disk being provided with an annular series of ball-receiving openings movable into alinement with the dischargeopenings, a guard carried by the wall of the receptacle at a point above the disk in vertical alinement with the discharge-opening, a ratchet-wheel carried by the disk, anda movable pawl for engaging said ratchet-wheel.

a. A ballot-box having a plurality of delivery-receptacles, each for the reception of a different class of ballot, and a pluralityof receiving-receptacles, discharge-passages arranged between the delivery and the receiving receptacles, revoluble disks arrangedin the lower portion of the delivery-receptacles and forming the bottom thereof, said disks having ballot-receiving openings movable into alinement with the discharge-passages, and means for revolving such disks to effect the discharge of the ballots.

5. A ballot-box having a plurality of deliv-` ery-receptacles, each Vfor the reception of a different class of ballot, and a plurality of receiving-receptacles, discharge-passages eX- tending between the delivery andv receiving receptacles, a revolnble disk forming the bottom of each delivery-receptacle, said disks being each provided with an annular series of ballot-receiving openings movable into aline- IDO IIO

ment with the discharge-passages, ratchetwheels carried by said disks, and means for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheels.

6. A ballot-box comprisingan inclosingcasing having in its upper portion a plurality of delivery-receptacles each having an aperture for the discharge of the ballots, and a plurality of receiving-receptacles with which said apertures communicate, a revoluble disk forming the bottom of each of the delivery-receptacles, said disks having ball-receiving openings adapted to be moved consecutively into alinement with the apertures, and push-buttons for independently operating said disks.

7. A ballot-box comprising an inclosing casing having an upper delivery-receptacle and a lower receiving-receptacle, a discharge-passage leading between the two, a revoluble disk arranged in the lower portion of the delivery-disk and forming the bottom thereof, said disk being provided with an annular series of ball-receiving openings movable into alinement with the discharge-passage, a guard carried by the wall of said receptacle above the disk and in vertical alinement with the discharge-passage, and an auxiliary guardpin extending over the top of the disk and serving to guide the balls into the receivingopenings of said disk. Y

8. A ballot-box having a plurality of delivery-receptacles, each for the reception of a dierent class of ballots, and a plurality of receiving-receptacles, discharge-passages extending between the delivery and receiving receptacles, a revoluble disk forming the bottom of each of the delivery-receptacles, said disks beingy each provided with an annular series of ballot-receiving openings movable into alinement with the discharge-passages, ratchet-wheels carried by said disks, springpressed slides having actuating-knobs arranged outside of the box, and pawls carried by said slides for engaging said ratchetwheels.

9. The combination with a ballot-box having ballot-delivery receptacles, of discharging means includingapair of reciprocatory slides, a locking device for preventing simultaneous inward movement of both slides, and means carried by each of the slides for holding said locking device in inoperative position during the inward movement of the mating slide.

10. The combination with a ballot-box having ballot-delivery receptacles and discharging means including a pair of slides, of a spring-stop extending partly over both slides, stop-pins carried by said slides and adapted to engage the spring-stop when both slides are simultaneously pressed, and a lug carried by each slide for holding the stop in inoperative position during the inward movement of the mating slide.

11. The combination with a ballot-box having ballot-delivery receptacles, of discharging means including a pair of movable slides each having an inclined portion, stop-pins and lugs arranged thereon, and a spring-stop normally in contact with the lugsand held thereby in a plane above the top of the stop-pins.

l2. A ballot-box comprising an inclosing casing having ball delivery and receiving receptacles, discharge-passages extending between the two, a revoluble disk forming the bottom of each of the delivery-receptacles, said disks being each provided with an annularseries of ballot-receiving openings adapted to be consecutively alined with the apertures, a ratchet-wheel on each of said disks, springpressed slides having pawls for engaging the ratchet-wheels, and means for automatically locking slides when an attempt is made to simultaneously operate the same.

13. The combination in a ballot-box, of independent ballot-delivery receptacles having discharging means, exterior push buttons connected thereto, a fixed lid extending over the top of the receptacles and spaced from the sides of the casing, and an adjustable supplemental cover having depending recessed side portions adapted to iit between the lid and the inner walls ofthe casing, said cover being provided with anaperture through which the i buttons may be observed when the cover is adjusted to form a hood.

14. The combination in a ballot-box, of the independent delivery-receptacles divided by a central partition, a drawer having a partition dividing the same into independent receiving-receptacles, a passage extending from the upper portion of the drawer to the delivery-receptacles, a partition arranged in said passage to separate the different classes of ballots, and a single plate pivotally arranged at the upper portion of the passage and movable inwardly to permit the entrance of the balls to the delivery-receptacles, said plate having a notch to permit the inward movement of the plate over the partition between the receptacles.

l5. The combination with a ballot-box having discharging and receiving receptacles, mechanism extending out through one end of the box for effecting the discharge of the ballots, a drawer forming the receiving-receptacles, a spring normally tending to force said drawer to open position, a catch carried by the box-casing and engaging the drawer, and an external slide carrying said catch, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afxed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM L. CORNELIUS.

Witnesses:

CEAS. E. LYNN, ERIC LAMB.

IOC

IIO

IZO 

